#SWARM - RELOADED

[TrophyKing80]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

It's been 3 losses that have all come differently, really frustrating. I actually like how the Ohio State one played out, with them running up a lead then kind of going into autopilot and it nearly costing them, you see that happen all the time IRL and that's why I love my slider set. I feel like when we get that first win, we'll win 3 or 4 in a row.[/B]

I sense that, too. And I'd stick with Jones at QB; he has produced well for you in those tough games, against some really stout opponents.

On a side note, let me know where your sliders are at; my adjustments aren't creating the results I'd like to see, and it's not so much that I want to lose, rather just have a greater challenge. I ain't sweating enough in these games. LOL

[joshuahuskers]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

Gotta make the jump man, I never ever in a million years would have had Nevada with a 29 point 4th quarter like that with fatigue on. I actually thought you had it off, your games are always competitive all the way, I don't see the CPU giving up.

Thanks for checking in!

Do you mind posting the sliders you use for fatigue off? I think we are both using a variation of J-Kit's sliders, so I'd be interested to see what they look like. Also, since fatigue is off, do you do anything (formation subs, etc.) to get some back ups into the game in spots (like RB or WR)?

Although I probably don't need fatigue off (yet) with the way I blew games against Iowa and Minnesota in the 4th quarter LMAO.

Speaking of Minnesota, they run the triple option in my dynasty now, so I definitely feel your pain vs. Triple Option schemes. I actually felt like I had them (relatively) in check until I made stupid turnovers to give them the momentum back. Although momentum is not "officially" in the game, I swear it's a big part of the game play, along with the "yo yo" effect.

[TrophyKing80]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

Yeah it'll be interesting to see who shines more!



Thanks for the submission! Making me wish I'd thought to put your Wisconsin State team in the dynasty haha.

Thanks for checking in guys! I'm going to get the Navy game out by the end of the day, I just sat down and tried to play it and actually quit out because of how OP the run game was. I'm talking 97 yard score where their 82 speed fullback is burning my entire defense, and then I go on a long drive only for them to run in a 75 yarder. Not like they were realistic long gainers either, it was very cheesy. It's weird, every time I play an option team I find myself having to lower their RBA because for whatever reason, their backs all run like prime Adrian Peterson. Run game plays realistically against every other scheme, but the option is too good. I don't get it. Gonna give it another shot, if I give up 700 on the ground then so be it.

Defending the option against the system is difficult. I've yet to find a defensive package that consistently works. Gotta audible the line, linebackers, and even then they take off on you. Good luck against Navy, though.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

I sense that, too. And I'd stick with Jones at QB; he has produced well for you in those tough games, against some really stout opponents.

On a side note, let me know where your sliders are at; my adjustments aren't creating the results I'd like to see, and it's not so much that I want to lose, rather just have a greater challenge. I ain't sweating enough in these games. LOL

I'm giving both guys a fair shot. To be honest, I played too aggressive with Henderson, I'm going to try being more conservative with him.

Do you mind posting the sliders you use for fatigue off? I think we are both using a variation of J-Kit's sliders, so I'd be interested to see what they look like. Also, since fatigue is off, do you do anything (formation subs, etc.) to get some back ups into the game in spots (like RB or WR)?

Although I probably don't need fatigue off (yet) with the way I blew games against Iowa and Minnesota in the 4th quarter LMAO.

Speaking of Minnesota, they run the triple option in my dynasty now, so I definitely feel your pain vs. Triple Option schemes. I actually felt like I had them (relatively) in check until I made stupid turnovers to give them the momentum back. Although momentum is not "officially" in the game, I swear it's a big part of the game play, along with the "yo yo" effect.

I hate the option so much man, I don't mind losing but I do mind the CPU cheating, which is what I often feel when the option teams break off these ridiculous 80 yard runs every other drive. Momentum is absolutely in the game, and I actually like that. I almost managed to beat OSU because of it, and if they didn't make one huge stop, I would have at least taken it to OT.

Slider Set

So I started with Kits' set, I've made a few tweaks because there's a few things I've learned about how the game functions, and also his are far too hard with fatigue off.

Heisman difficulty. It's the only difficulty that will challenge me personally.

Injuries on. I highly recommend editing down your players injury ratings. Just remember to edit them back up if you export them to Madden. I take 15 off QB, 20 off HB/FB, 35 off WR/DB, 30 off FB/TE 80 off OL, 40 off DL/LB. Sometimes i'll make up an injury if I see a guy go into a weird animation that would have hurt him irl.

Fatigue off is imperative IMO to avoid the CPU fading in the second half. Now, to get rotation, I use formation subs to get rotation mainly with my running backs and D-line. I'll do WR rotation a little bit, because IRL teams tend to have 4 or 5 main targets getting 75%+ of the targets and then another 3 or 4 that catch 10-20 passes on the year. For the CPU, I just sub in their #2 back in 5-15 sets depending on rating, like if it's a 94 starter vs a 78 backup, maybe 5 sets, I'll put in the #3 a bit if he's good enough, occasionally if they have a guy that could be like a RB/WR, CB/WR, LB/TE I'll do a bit as well.

9 minute quarters. Go 8 if you want, anything less is too few plays.

Normal game speed

32 threshold

HFA off, I think there's still an element of it whether you have it on or off.

Ice kicker on (just wait till I get to kicking)

Penalties

I believe it was JoshC that made the "penalty sliders gameplay impact" thread. Old thread, not gonna go dig it up, but penalties (some, at least) have a noticeable impact on gameplay. A lot of these values are very similar to what I started with with the JKits Sliders

Offsides/False Start: 91

Offsides gives the DLine a quicker jump, False start does the same thing for the OLine. Use the fake hike, you'll get calls on both sides.

Holding: 92

Holding I don't think does much to gameplay.

Facemask: 63

I feel like the hits are a bit bigger, and you get some penalties happening.

OPI: 99

DPI: 98

Aggressiveness when going for the ball. These penalties still don't really exist, you might get one called when there's a collision on a route.

KRI: 60

Just what JKits has it at

Clipping: 54

This one and RTP are weird, 54 they rarely ever get called, 55 it's left and right.

IG: 85

This is the big one that really changes how the game plays. This gets the CPU QB to be aggressive. They don't actually throw it away that much, maybe 2-3 times a game. You will occasionally get them snapping the ball and an instant throwaway, I'll see that maybe 4 times a season. Used to have it at 99 but the scrambling was too out of control.

RTP: 54

RTK: 35

So now for the actual sliders

User/CPU

QBA: 5/5

Anything higher and every game is like Tom Brady vs Aaron Rodgers. Make good reads, and warm up your QB with short throws. You can't just come out the gates throwing it 50 yards. Get in rhythm. You will see a noticeable accuracy difference throwing off the correct drop depth to your primary read vs not doing so. If you have an elite guy, you can really throw guys open. Leading passes and anticipatory throwing are very important to avoid INTs.

PBK: 35/45

USER will have enough time to make reads. You will have to scramble at times, you will have to move in the pocket, and OL ratings matter. PA is viable, but if they don't bite or if they send a free rusher you're screwed. Median sacks per game was 2.2 last season, but yours will likely be higher because CPU QBs will take bad sacks.

WRC: 0/40

At 0 for the USER, you will see drops. User catching is key to make plays on contested balls, especially deep balls. 40 for the CPU will see them drop 1-6 balls a game.

RBA: 45/70

Running is hard if you don't have the guys, like it should be. I'm cool with CPU backs being a bit juiced up, I might put this at 65.

RBK: 5/35

Nice balance here.

PCV: 30/30

PCV slider is reversed, I'm pretty sure. Tight, ratings-based coverage here. There will not be that many gaping windows that are open for longer than a couple seconds.

INT: 50/50

More important than the coverage slider. This is what gets DB's to react to the ball. They won't overrun every deep ball, you won't be completing every curl route with 10 yards of separation.

RUSHD: 75/85

I've found that there's a good balance here. You have to call good plays and make good reads. That's really the theme throughout, you have to be smart on these sliders.

TAK: 40/40

Good amount of broken tackles, and some poor tackles.

FGP: 100/60

Ok so I use Tuscaloosa's kicking method. This is the only way I've found to manually kick and have it be a challenge. Go follow that link and you'll see why USER is at 100.

FGA: 30/50

Decent balance of CPU kicking.

Here are some tricks I've learned and my few house rules.

NCAA "secrets" I've learned

Edit all Scrambling QB's aside from the ones in an option offense so they're either balanced or have high awareness. Don't have to do it for everyone, I just do it before I play a team. Lower their trucking first, as they don't really use it. Next one to lower is elusiveness, break tackle. If you can't make them balanced without killing their running ability, jack up the awareness to a 90 or so. Only way to mitigate cheap sacks.

When you get further into Dynasty, do some awareness edits to the CPU stars that have low AWR (usually front 7 defenders, maybe boost DBs that are 90+ OVR). Those stud players should have high AWR, with the way it's scaled on generated players they'll stand out.

If you click the link in the first post of this dynasty to Kawkeye's progression system, on page 5 of that thread you'll see more manual progresssion stuff that I now do after seeing his post.

Run/Pass slider: Shift the USER (only USER, don't touch CPU) Run/Pass Defense slider one tick to the left, towards run. It makes the CPU pass game better. Logic here is that the AI sees you as unprepared for the pass, so they will pass a bit more, but they still run a good amount, and their pass game is sharper and more aggressive. Surprisingly, the CPU doesn't actually always pass for more yards with this. They will now take more big shots instead of throwing 10 yard outs all game, ending up going 30/35 with 4 scores, long of 21.

House Rules

Play SIM. Don't abuse money plays. Use the WHOLE playbook. Don't run zone read and 4 wide dives all game. Don't hot route guys to streaks every single time you see press. This is my only "rule" in game, and it's not even a rule, just my play style.

Clear Coaching Trees: I believe you can do this in the Custom Conference part of the offseason. The only skill tree you should ever use is recruiting, the rest are overpowered and make things very easy. Look at the first skills you unlock on the HC tree, "Antifreeze" and "Road Warrior". The first level of both of those are ridiculous. Ice the kicker doesn't work? I don't care if you're Bill Belichick, your kicker is nervous, you're nervous.

[parent22]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

Thanks for doing this! I have enjoyed following your dynasty.

Name: John Smith
Age: 35
Specialty: Defense
Skin Color: Light
Body Size: Normal
Head: #3?
Apparel: Polo
Hat/Glasses (Optional): None
Alma Mater: East Carolina
Offensive Playbook/Play Style: Run Balanced
Offensive Run/Pass Ratio: 75/25
Offensive Aggressiveness: 80
Defensive Playbook/Play Style: 4-2-5
Defensive Run/Pass Ratio: 50/50
Defensive Aggressiveness: 85
Preferred Region: Southeast[/QUOTE]

Thanks!

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

Y1, G4 - @ Navy

Report by Isaac Robinson - September 16th, 2018

Swarm get in the win column with 49-26 defeat of Navy

B.J. Henderson shines with 258 total yards, 5 scores as Stan Jones struggles before leaving injured -- Travis Kelley scoop-and-score the turning point as Swarm keep Navy in check on the ground

Henderson celebrates his 60 yard TD run

Annapolis, MD -- Dion Barkley and his Westlake State Swarm will breath a collective sigh of relief after picking up their first win of the season, taking down Navy 49-26 behind a scintillating performance from sophomore QB B.J. Henderson. Henderson made his return from a wrist injury today and put together a career day, throwing for 123 yards and 2 scores on 12/18 passing, with 158 yards and a trifecta of scores on the ground, including a 60 yarder in the 3rd that effectively put this one to bed.

It was a shaky start, as Henderson completed just 1 of 3 passes on a drive that saw the Swarm punt from the Navy 47. But the Midshipmen couldn't get much going, and Henderson would lead an excellent drive that he capped off himself with a rushing score.

Navy answered back in 2 plays, with fullback Adam Rosario following some great blocking to break into the open field, and DeAndre Mosley couldn't catch up until the 10. James Richards ran in a score on the very next play and tied it up.

Henderson would hit Robert Coley for 15 yards, then Jon Smith for 16, and kept it rolling all the way downfield for another score, again ran in himself from a couple yards out.

The Midshipmen came out with a surprise pass play that went for 17, backs Ayden Douglas and Justin Poole were able to pick up solid gains, and they looked like they'd come right back and tie it up. On a 2nd and 8 at the Swarm 28, Richards went airborne int he backfield, trying to hurdle a downed player to extend the play. But Andy Davenport flipped him mid-air, the ball slipped out, then OLB Travis Kelley scooped it right up and took it the distance to make it Westlake State 21, Navy 7 early in the second.

This play put Navy on the ropes, and they couldn't recover

Richards completed another huge pass, this time to speedster Brandon Brooks for 54, but the drive stalled and ended in a controversial 27 yard field goal, as Richards found Brooks in the back of the endzone, and the score was intially given, but Barkley threw his challenge flag and got it reversed. As promised, Dion Barkley gave Stan Jones the chance to keep the starting job after the junior was solid filling in for Henderson. His very first pass was a pick at his own 35. Navy would quickly score, cutting the Swarm lead to 4.

Jones led a good drive, converting on several 3rd downs, although he completed just one pass. he led Westlake State deep into Navy territory, but he would have to leave the game with an upper body injury after being hit hard on a scramble. Henderson came back in, and he ran for 16 yards before finding Jon Smith for a score from 8 yards out, Henderson's first passing score of 2018. Jones will be re-evaluated this week.

B.J. Henderson FINALLY threw a score

Navy punted to open the second half, and Westlake State took full advantage. Henderson was calm and collected as he converted on four 3rd downs, eventually throwing to Barrett Miller from the goal line for another passing score.

Navy's next drive started strong with Richards gaining 19, 23 and 13 yards on the ground, but they ended up kicking a field goal, and B.J. Henderson would score an highlight reel rushing TD, spinning away from 2 defenders and breaking away for a 60 yard score.

Henderson spun off and then broke away from everyone

It was smooth sailing from there for the Swarm. There was one more score per side, with Navy trying and failing to go for 2.

"Massive win," said Dion Barkley after the game. "We needed to win after these 3 close losses, we needed some momentum. We came out and executed well, B.J. finally put it all together and balled out. We beat Navy at their own game, we ground them down mostly running it and we came up big when we had to. 11/14 on 3rd down today, that's huge. Only one turnover. 7 flags, but we work on one thing at a time."

Westlake State have a bye before returning to The Hive to take on 1-2 Tulane.

Great blocking here


Ayden Douglas got 19 on this carry

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

Thanks for doing this! I have enjoyed following your dynasty.

Name: John Smith
Age: 35
Specialty: Defense
Skin Color: Light
Body Size: Normal
Head: #3?
Apparel: Polo
Hat/Glasses (Optional): None
Alma Mater: East Carolina
Offensive Playbook/Play Style: Run Balanced
Offensive Run/Pass Ratio: 75/25
Offensive Aggressiveness: 80
Defensive Playbook/Play Style: 4-2-5
Defensive Run/Pass Ratio: 50/50
Defensive Aggressiveness: 85
Preferred Region: Southeast

Thanks!

Thanks for the submission man! Glad you're enjoying the dynasty. Might be able to make Smith the ECU DC, they're doing badly and may clean house.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

Westlake State Swarm Football Staff Communications

From: Head Scout Wendell Hearn

To: Head Coach Dion Barkley

Subject: Recruiting

Hey Coach, congrats on getting your first win! Has to feel good. Anyway, as it's your bye week, I figured you'd have some time to read over my recruiting report.

So first up, the JUCO guys.

Isiah Mills should be our top target. He's a corner out of Alabama by way of Dodge City CC in Kansas. He was at Auburn, but left after he redshirted as a freshman. Why he left, I can't confirm, but I can tell you he's rumored to be a total headcase who thinks he's the second coming of Deion Sanders. He was actually suspended 2 games last year after skipping practice following an altercation with his DB coach. Despite that, Bama and Auburn are both lightly interested. If they want him, they'll get him but as of now we're his only offer.

Kevin Campbell: He plays QB, but he's not even a good QB at the JUCO level. He didn't sign D1 out of high school despite Texas State and New Mexico offering him at HB and CB respectively. He opted to sign with El Camino, and he's amassed a 5-9 record as a starter, rushing for more yards than he threw for both this season so far, and all of last season. He isn't a QB. No pocket presence, fairly strong arm but not too accurate. He's a heck of a runner though. Legit sub 4.4 speed, can make guys miss consistently too. We'll look at him as a DB in camp for sure. He has verbally committed to us.

With Andy Davenport graduating and us not really having any great options for next year, we're looking at Rocky Davis and Davion Williams, both guys who could start immediately, and Williams is a verbal commit.

We need O-line help, and I'm looking at a couple guys who could have a huge impact for us. Tim Pembroke is a physical beast, and Chris Buchanan has a lot of potential. We have a verbal commit from Pembroke.

Stevie Hodge at DT is intriguing. At 6'5, 262 he can line up at DT and DE. He's a good athlete with good power but not quite the pass rusher you want at DE, and not quite the run stuffer you want at DT. Good player who I have faith will find his place at the college level. He has interest from Ohio State, Oklahoma, FSU and Clemson, but no offers from them, and with us he'd likely start from day 1.

Nic Johnson is the highest ranked prospect considering us. He's a 4 star wideout from Perry Heights who I personally think is a tad overrated. He hasn't played great competition, is physically limited, and doesn't have great ball skills despite his hands being very solid. Florida, LSU, Iowa, Auburn, and Tennessee have all shown interest, but no one has offered him yet.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

[Careless Whisper]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

Henderson heard those quarterback controversy rumblings and pretty much stomped them dead, great performance by him and the team against Navy! Would that be your preferred kind of statline by Henderson, where he's throwing the ball 20 times and getting 20 carries?

[Its2Eazy17]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

Again I love the style you a using! Especially how you laid out your prospects. Really great job and keep up the great work! Looking forward to more

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

Y1, G5 Preview - vs Tulane

Coach Barkley's Take

This team is better than they look on paper. 2 of their losses have come by 7 points or less, and one of those came to #24 UNC. Joe Parham is lighting up defenses so far, and is careful with the football. He has 6'4 speed demon Rahil Perry to throw to out wide, so we have to watch the deep ball. Matt Shelby is a solid back who's a good route runner out of the backfield, our backers will have trouble covering him, and backup Chris Duckett has a lot of speed.

Defensively, they're not great, but neither are we. Dominic Mayfield is a really good linebacker who could seriously disrupt our run game. We haven't really been tested by an aggressive, pass-heavy team yet. This will show us how good our secondary really is.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

Henderson heard those quarterback controversy rumblings and pretty much stomped them dead, great performance by him and the team against Navy! Would that be your preferred kind of statline by Henderson, where he's throwing the ball 20 times and getting 20 carries?

Yeah he played really well. Jones is still gonna be breathing down his neck, but Henderson is starting for now. Calmed it down and made some big plays to get us the W. I'd rather he throw it 30 times and run 10-12, but as of right now we don't have the line to have him be dropping back throwing it all that much.

Again I love the style you a using! Especially how you laid out your prospects. Really great job and keep up the great work! Looking forward to more

Thanks man! I modeled it on the way 247 grades guys, I don't do full scouting so I can't use ratings.

Thanks for the comments guys! Going to play the Tulane game today.

[moose141]

Re: #SWARM - RELOADED

Great game against Navy, still gave up some yards but shut them down as much as you could given the cicrumstances! Big bounce back performance from Henderson as well, he saw the rumblings about his job on twitter and put up a big showing. His ability to make plays with his legs is really key, gives you that versatility that you don't necessarily see with Jones. Hope he can keep it up! Also want to echo the comments that were said regarding your formatting for the recruiting updates, I really like the little blurb style that you were doing! Definitely does a great job giving a little back story for the players and making them seem really 3D, I like it!